Mind mapping is a visual technique that involves creating diagrams to represent ideas, tasks, or concepts branching out from a central theme. It’s also why I quickly became comfortable with the node-based AI software ComfyUI. The ability to visually organize information hierarchically has proven helpful in business and my personal life.

Mind mapping is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD because it aligns with how their brains naturally process information—visually, non-linearly, and dynamically. I experimented with several mind mapping apps before settling on the one that worked best for me, and I’ll share my thoughts on each.

Different Styles of Mind Maps

Mind maps come in several primary styles, each serving different purposes.

• Spider Diagram: The most common type, featuring a central idea with related subtopics radiating outward. This is my go-to for most mind mapping.
• Flowchart: I use this more often in business to present processes or sequences in a linear progression—great for breaking down proposed operational changes or project management timelines for clients.
• Concept Map: More complex, showing relationships between concepts in various patterns, often with cross-links between nodes. I find these most useful for managing multiple projects with interdependencies.

Some people benefit greatly from laying out concepts visually. While I can work equally well with text-based and visual conceptual design, I often find storyboarding or mind mapping more effective for brainstorming and initial project development. Your preferred method will depend on your thinking style, so let’s explore some options and see what might work best for you.

7 Mindly

A non-traditional mind mapping tool with a minimal interface

Pricing Model:

• Free plan (limited features)
• Paid plans (one-time purchase)

Mindly takes a unique, non-traditional approach to mind mapping. Instead of a typical branching structure, it uses a circular, orbit-like layout where sub-nodes revolve around parent nodes. This makes it particularly effective on mobile devices, as the intuitive touch controls make moving and organizing orbiting nodes incredibly satisfying.

I still use Mindly, but only for specific types of mind mapping tasks. It excels when you want to quickly brainstorm and structure ideas around a single core topic, especially when breaking down layers of directly related subcategories.

Key Features:

• Unique orbit-style layout for organizing ideas
• Intuitive touch controls optimized for mobile
• Offline functionality for use anywhere
• Export options, including PDF, text, and image

The circular format keeps related ideas tightly grouped, making it easy to see the big picture at a glance.

This style of mapping is especially useful for categorizing information visually. If you're planning a vacation, you might place "Trip to Japan" in the center, with orbiting nodes for flights, hotels, activities, and food. Each of those could then have their own sub-nodes—flights might include different airline options, while food could branch into ramen, sushi, and street food. The circular format keeps related ideas tightly grouped, making it easy to see the big picture at a glance.

Unlike many apps, Mindly’s free plan offers almost all the same features as the paid version, with the main limitation being that you can only create three maps. This makes it a great option for fully testing its functionality before deciding whether to upgrade.

6 Draw.io

A free and open-source mind mapping tool

Pricing Model: Free

Draw.io is a favorite among many of us at XDA. It’s not my primary tool, but I can vouch for its functionality. Being free and open-source is a huge advantage, allowing users to modify and deploy it as needed. It also offers a variety of integrations and cloud storage sync options.

Key Features:

• Extensive shape library for diverse diagram types
• Real-time collaboration with team members
• Offline functionality for uninterrupted work
• Multiple export formats, including PNG, PDF, and SVG

While I used Draw.io for some time, I struggled to achieve an aesthetic that I found visually pleasing. The functionality is solid, but I wanted something that looked better.

5 Coggle

A simple and collaborative mind mapping tool

Pricing Model:

• Free plan (limited features)
• Paid plans (monthly subscription)

Coggle is visually appealing and easy to use. However, the free plan is limited to just three private diagrams, which was a dealbreaker for business-related activities. While it allows unlimited public diagrams, at the time I needed more privacy, making a subscription necessary—something that I was considering.

Even more frustrating, some of the most basic customization options—like controlling line styles, adjusting line paths, and switching text alignment—are locked behind the paid plan. These are essential for organizing information effectively, and not having access to them made the free plan too restrictive to decide if I wanted to spend my money.

Free Plan Limitations:

• No control over line styles and paths
• Limited text alignment options
• Public diagrams may appear in search results, be added to the Coggle Gallery, and be copied by anyone

These restrictions prevented me from testing Coggle further. I dislike having to subscribe just to access what I consider basic functionality when I’m demoing new software. That said, it’s an excellent option for many, offering a sleek design, a user-friendly interface, and useful templates in the Coggle Gallery.

4 Miro

A versatile whiteboard for mind mapping

Pricing Model:

• Free plan (limited features)
• Paid plans (monthly subscription)

I used Miro for about a month while working with a small team of three, along with occasional outside consultants, to develop a curriculum for a project. The free plan was sufficient for our brainstorming and outlining needs, offering one workspace with three editable boards, plus a large selection of integrations and templates. Miro’s standout feature is its strong focus on collaboration, with enterprise-level scalability.

Key Features:

• Infinite canvas for unrestricted brainstorming
• Real-time collaboration with team members
• Over 300 customizable templates
• Integrations with Slack, Jira, and Google Workspace

Miro looks good, it is relatively easy for team members to learn, and I would definitely use it again. However, it sticks to basic visualization shapes and lines, similar to Draw.io. While it wasn’t my top choice for personal use, even the free plan would be useful for quick team collaboration.

3 XMind

A well-rounded mind mapping tool with a strong reputation

Pricing Model:

• Free plan (limited features)
• Paid plans (monthly subscription)

XMind appears on virtually every list of mind mapping apps. The free plan allows unlimited topics and maps, making it a powerful option. It looks great, functions well, offers useful templates, and supports various mind mapping styles. XMind’s paid plans are often discounted, making them affordable.

Free Plan Limitations:

• 3-day version history
• No rich text styles
• Limit of 5 slides in Pitch mode

Why didn’t I choose XMind? Simply put, I found another tool that suited me first. That said, it’s absolutely worth trying, and could have been my choice if I found it earlier.

2 MindNode

A beautifully designed mind mapping app for Apple users

Pricing Model:

• Free plan (limited features)
• Paid plans (monthly subscription)

MindNode is visually stunning and has an intuitive design, but it’s only available in the Apple ecosystem. While it checks all the boxes for functionality, many basic features—like viewing your mind map as an outline—are locked behind the paid plan.

What makes the user experience frustrating is that these features are still visible in the app. As you navigate the UI, you’ll encounter options like Outlines, only to be met with a message prompting you to upgrade. This constant reminder of locked functionality disrupts the workflow and makes the free plan feel unnecessarily restrictive.

Key Features:

• Visual Tags for organizing and prioritizing ideas
• Focus Mode to concentrate on specific branches
• Outline view alongside the mind map (paid feature)
• Task integration with Apple Reminders

I understand reserving advanced features for paid users, but blocking something as simple as an outline view feels excessive. If an app doesn’t let me properly test how it could fit into my workflow, I move on.

1 SimpleMind

A flexible and highly customizable mind mapping tool

Pricing Model:

• Free plan (limited features)
• Paid plan (one-time purchase)

SimpleMind is the mind mapping tool I ultimately chose for personal use. It works across Apple, Windows, and Android, offers a one-time purchase instead of a subscription, and has been well-supported for over a decade. While it's on the expensive side, there are no recurring costs, which I prefer over a subscription model.

What stood out to me most was the visual customization and flexibility.

What stood out to me most was the visual customization and flexibility. SimpleMind allows you to switch between different map layouts on the fly, including hierarchical, linear, and free-form structures. It features auto-layouts, which automatically arrange topics based on the selected structure, keeping everything organized. Alternatively, you can switch to free-form layout, which allows you to manually position topics anywhere on the canvas.

Key Features:

• Multiple layout options, including hierarchical, linear, and matrix
• Auto-layout for structured organization and free-form for manual control
• Cloud sync across devices and offline functionality
• One-time purchase with no ongoing subscription fees

I find SimpleMind to be the most visually engaging option I’ve used. It includes a variety of well-designed stylesheets with the ability to create custom ones, allowing for a clean and polished look without unnecessary clutter. Unlike many other tools, every layout I need is available, making it versatile enough for both structured and free-flow brainstorming. While I still use other mind mapping apps for specific tasks, SimpleMind remains my go-to for personal and in-depth mapping.

Which mind mapping tool is best for you?

Choosing the right mind mapping tool depends on your needs, budget, and preferred way of organizing information. Free options like Draw.io offer solid functionality, while tools like Coggle and Miro are great for collaboration, though their free plans come with limitations. XMind is a well-rounded choice, and while MindNode looks great, it locks core features behind a paywall. For more specialized tools, Mindly excels at quickly brainstorming ideas around a central topic, while SimpleMind stands out for its customization and flexibility—making it my personal favorite for in-depth mapping.

For me, visual organization is key, especially as someone with ADHD.

For me, visual organization is key, especially as someone with ADHD. The ability to structure ideas using colors, images, and spatial layouts makes information more engaging and easier to remember. Mind maps help break down complex ideas into smaller, manageable pieces, which is especially useful when overcoming task initiation paralysis. By breaking projects into clear, actionable steps, they make overwhelming tasks feel more approachable.

Mind mapping is just one of the ways I stay on top of my life. While it's great for brainstorming and structuring ideas, I also use tools like Notion to manage tasks, track projects, and organize long-term goals. Both serve different purposes, but together they create a system that keeps everything structured and manageable.

Ultimately, the best mind mapping tool is the one that fits your workflow and makes information easier to process. Hopefully, this breakdown helps you find the one that works best for you.